Spain has begun diplomatic talks with the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands and Canada following the devastating Almeria wildfire, which has claimed 13 lives and burned almost 7,000 hectares.

Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirmed on Monday that he has been speaking with counterparts from countries that have large expat communities in Almeria to keep them informed and coordinate any consular assistance that may be needed.

‘I want to thank all our European partners for the solidarity they have shown following the terrible tragedy in Almeria,’ Albares said as he arrived at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

He confirmed he had already spoken with Belgium’s foreign minister and had also been in contact with the foreign ministers of the UK, the Netherlands and Canada.

The province of Almeria has long been home to thousands of foreign residents, particularly in towns including Mojacar, Vera, Los Gallardos, Bedar, Turre and Cuevas del Almanzora, where large British, Belgian and Dutch communities have settled over the years.

Although the Spanish government has not officially confirmed the nationalities of those killed or injured, the diplomatic contacts reflect concerns that foreign nationals may be among those affected by the disaster.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot also offered his condolences to the victims and their families, while warning that increasingly destructive wildfires across Spain and southern France highlight the growing impact of the climate crisis.

The international response comes as Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo are both due to visit the devastated area on Monday.

The wildfire, now stabilised, is the deadliest forest fire in Almeria’s recorded history.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.